Kingston looking for crowning moment in Indian Ocean 

James Kingston will tee it up at the MCB Tour Championship three-event final series as the Staysure Tour makes its debut in Madagascar.

The South African currently sits in sixth place on the Order of Merit ahead of the final three events of the 2019 season, where he is aiming to cap off his best campaign on the over-50s circuit with a maiden Staysure Tour victory.

The MCB Tour Championship – Madagascar kicks off the three-staged ‘Indian Ocean Swing’ from November 29 to December 1, before the Staysure Tour returns to Seychelles for a second successive season from December 5-7 ahead of the season-finale in Mauritius from December 13-15.

Kingston, who recently won his first senior title on home soil at the 2019 SA Senior Open, has finished inside the top five on four occasions this year, including two runner-up results at the Senior Open Hauts de France by Jean van de Velde and the Staysure PGA Seniors Championship, but is looking forward to ending 2019 on a high.

“I feel like I’ve been knocking on the door a lot this year, so whenever it does happen it will be nice,” admitted Kingston. “Obviously, it would be nice to do it at one of those three events to finish the season off in style.

“It has a nice ring to it, finishing the year in Seychelles and Mauritius, as well as Madagascar, which will be a first for all of us. It’s closer to home for some of us, the weather is warmer, and it’s a fitting finish to the season.”

The two-time European Tour winner ended his 2018 campaign with a share of fourth at the inaugural MCB Tour Championship – Seychelles. The first round was shortened to 12 holes due to adverse weather conditions, but an enthralling final 36 holes followed with Roger Chapman prevailing in a play-off, while Kingston ended the year in 14th position on the Order of Merit.

“I like the courses at Mauritius and Seychelles,” said Kingston. “Last year in Seychelles was tough with the rain which shortened the golf course, but I played nicely. I think it is a golf course which suits me.”

The 54-year-old is still searching for his first Staysure Tour win and will face stern opposition in the Indian Ocean with the Staysure Tour growing in strength each year.

“Every season we get a few new players, guys like Paul Lawrie, a Major Champion, and that brings a little extra to each event,” said Kingston. “It’s great for these kinds of guys to pitch up and it really helps the standard of the tournaments, plus it helps bring people and hopefully sponsors to tournaments and the Tour.”